Health Videos

Exercise for a Healthier Heart

You may wonder how you can improve the health of your heart. If you’re thinking about exercise, you’re on the right track. You don’t need to become an athlete, but you do need a certain amount of brisk exercise to help strengthen your heart. If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition, your doctor may recommend exercise to help stabilize your condition. To help make exercise a habit, choose safe, fun activities.

Exercise with a friend. When activity is fun, you're more likely to stick with it.

Be sure to check with your health care provider before starting an exercise program.

Why exercise?

Exercising regularly offers many healthy rewards. It can help you do all of the following:

Prevent falls and fractures by slowing the loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)

Manage stress better

Exercise tips

Ease into your routine. Set small goals. Then build on them.

Exercise on most days. Aim for a total of 150 or more minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity each week. Consider 40 minutes, 3 to 4 times a week. For best results, activity should last for 40 minutes on average. It is OK to work up to the 40 minute period over time. Examples of moderate-intensity activity is walking one mile in 15 minutes or 30 to 45 minutes of yard work.

Step up your daily activity level. Along with your exercise program, try being more active throughout the day. Walk instead of drive. Do more household tasks or yard work.

Choose one or more activities you enjoy. Walking is one of the easiest things you can do. You can also try swimming, riding a bike, or taking an exercise class.